Press release submitted on behalf of American Mold Builders Association.

Today, the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA), Indianapolis, Indiana, announced the release of its first-time collection of operational efficiency strategies and measures in U.S. mold manufacturing facilities. Responses were collected in both a traditional survey format prior to AMBA Conference 2023 and via a live benchmarking session facilitated by AMBA Executive Director Troy Nix and Laurie Harbour, owner of Harbour Results, Inc. (Southfield, MI) during the conference.

Gathered results focused on member strategies and investments intended to enhance profitability, increase throughput, improve workforce utilization and effectively implement new technologies. Additionally, respondents described whether they had won business from China and other foreign competition and the key differentiators that allowed them to do so. 

Over 60 AMBA members contributed to this report, supplying over 300 unique responses that described the ways in which they have strived to improve efficiency in their mold building operations. The ensuing compilation was made available to all participants at no cost so they could benchmark their internal efficiency measures and explore new opportunities.

Interviews with Andy Peterson, Industrial Molds, Inc.; Hillary Thomas, Westminster Tool, Inc.; Tyler VanRee, Legacy Precision Molds; and Troy Roberts, Tolerance Tool, LLC were conducted by the AMBA and included in the final report as case studies to provide further insight into the processes and best practices these companies are implementing to improve their operations.

“The greatest asset the AMBA offers U.S. mold manufacturers is its ability to connect executives and operations managers with industry peers,” emphasized Eric Karaman, president at Michiana Global Mold (Mishawaka, IN) and current AMBA board member. “By improving the manner in which knowledge can be shared between members, the AMBA gives us the tools we need to strengthen our individual operations, drive industry-wide growth and better serve our customers – because at the end of the day, meeting our customers’ needs is the only way we will successfully bring business back to the domestic doorstep.” 

The 2023 Operational Efficiencies Report is now available for purchase to non-participating AMBA members for $99. This publication is only available to AMBA membership.

To learn more about this report, AMBA membership and/or AMBA’s other benchmarking efforts, contact Rachael Pfenninger at rpfenninger@amba.org or visit AMBA.org.